Truss.



W. WENZEL.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. 1918.

1,281,240. Patented 00b. 8,1918.

WITNESS:

A TTORNEY.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8, 1918.

Application filed March 27, 1918. Serial No. 225,083.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALLACE WENzEL, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Truss, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to abdominal or liernial trusses, and resides in body and perineal members provided with certain peculiar adjustable connecting means, a hol-' low presser member provided with novel, resilient or yielding, attaching means wherewith said presser member may be connected with said first-named members, and further provided with a novel cover or protector, to-

gether with such auxiliary and subsidiary parts and members as may be needed to render the truss complete and serviceable, all as hereinafter set forth.

The primary object of my invention is to produce a comparatively simple and inexpensive, yet strong and durable, truss with which a firm pressure can be maintained over the hernial spot without liability of displacement, on the part of the pad, due to any movement of the body or legs of the person wearing the same.

A further object is to provide such a truss with ample means of adjustment without the use ,of the buckles commonly employed, to the end that the number of metallic parts is reduced to the minimum, thus making the truss light in weight, and to the end, furthermore, that adjustment is easily effected, and no loose ends are left exposed to be in the way.

I prefer to employ a metallic pad and to provide the same with a cover which protects the skin from direct contact therewith of said pad.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

I attain the objects and secure the advantages of my invention by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truss which embodies a practical form of my in-' strap; Fig. 5, a horizontal section through said connection; Fig. 6, a front elevation of a fragment of a pad which is equipped with a slightly modified form of the yielding attaching means; Fig. 7, a perspective view of pad-supporting members which include what may be termed a single-strap instead of double-strap belt; Fig. 8, a front elevation of a pad designed for use when the perineal strap is omitted, and, Fig. 9, a front elevation, in partial section, of a fragment of a pad which is equipped with another sli htly modified form of the yielding attaching means.

Figs. 1 and 7 are on a smaller scale than the other views.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings it will be observed that the truss comprises, with a pad 1 and its accessories which will presently be described, either a single body belt 12 or a double body belt 2, and a perineal strap 3. The belt 2 or 12 and the strap 3 are connected with the aid of a clasp 1. The belt 2 is double or looped, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 1 and 5, and the belt 12 is single, as shown in Fig. 7 but the perineal strap 3 is and preferably will in all cases be double or looped. I I

The clasp 4 has two vertical slots 5, Fig. 5, and a transverse slot 6, Fig. 4E, therein, said slot 6 being below said slots 5. The clasp 4: is mounted for adjustment on the belt 2 or 12 so that the perineal strap 3 can be properly positionedat the back on said belt. The belt 12 and the'inner reach of the belt 2 in each case passes through the slots 5, from the inside of the clasp 4c, and across the outside of that part of said clasp that is between said slots, and the terminals 7-7 of said belt 2 are passedthrough said slots, from the outside of said clasp, and extended in opposite directions between the inner and outer reaches of said last-named belt. A loop 8 is attached to each terminal 7, and such loop embraces and may slide on the outer, contiguous reach of the belt 2. The loops 8 hold the ends of the belt 2 in place between the inner and outer reaches of said belt, so that such ends can not'work out from between said reaches. The frictional resistance which exists between contiguous parts holds the clasp 4: in place on either the belt 2 or 12, but, upon loosening the portions of either belt which pass through the slots 5,

said clasp can be moved in one direction or the other for adjustment, after which said portions are again tightened. In a similar manner, butwithout necessarily moving the clasp 4, the belt 2 can be lengthened or shortened.

The terminal of the back or outer reach of the perineal strap 3 is passed up between the backside of the clasp 4 and that portion of the belt 2 (or 12) that extends back of saidclasp between the slots 5, said strap being of a width to make this possible, over the top of said clasp, down in front of the same, through the slot 6 in the clasp, and up between the aforesaid backside of the clasp and the part of the strap that is contiguous or adjacent thereto, ending at 9, Figs. 4 and 5. This terminal of the strap 3 is thus held fast by frictional engagement between contiguous parts. The terminal of the front or inner reach of the strap 3 is passed through the slot 6 from thefront or inside of the clasp 4, under the part of the other terminal that is in said slot, and down inside of the back reach. There is a loop10 attached to the end of the inner reach and embracing and adapted to slide on the outer reach of the strap 3, said loop being similar to and for a similar purpose as the loops 8. The terminal portions ofthe strap 3 which are in the slot 6 fit said slot snugly, so that the terminal of the inner reach of said strap is heldsecurely, but the same may be forcibly drawn in one direction or the other, through said slot, when it is desired to lengthen or shorten the strap.

The clasp 4 can very readily beadjusted on either belt and the perineal strap and the terminal portions of the belt 2 in or through said clasp, and the necessary security after adjustment is afforded, without the aid of tongues or prongs. Thus the connection 'which includes the clasp 4 is eflicient and serviceableand consequently important and valuable.

At each looped terminal of the belt 2 and at each terminal of the belt 12 is a fastener in the form of a hook 11.

The pad 1 is a hollow, metallic, 'more or less cup-shaped member having an open out side, so that saidpad is comparatively light in weight, but strong and durable. Eyes 13, for the hooks 11 and the looped, front terminal of the strap 3, which latter is passed through one of said eyes, are attached to the pad and arranged to yield to outward strain, to the end that the pad is held in place under tension or pressure, and the supporting members for the pad can be moved independently of the latter to the required extent. The strap ,3 is passed through the bottom eye 13, and said eye is necessarily wider, on that account, than the two eyes for the hooks 11. The eyes 13 and 23 may consist of the bent or curved por and is adapted to slide in an opening in the side of the pad near the edge, with its eye outside of the pad. The pad 1 may be provided with an interior bearing part 16 a for each rod 14, or with a similar bearing part 17 for each rod 15. Each eye 13 is incapable of passing through the twin openings in the pad 1 for the rods 14, in the one case, and too large to pass through the single 1 opening in the pad for the rod 15, in the other case. Springs 18 are arranged on each of the rods 14, and a similar spring on each rod 15, normally, to force said rods inwardly until the eyes 13 at the outer ends of said rods are in contact with the pads 1. Each spring 18 encircles one branch of one of the rods 14, or one of the'rods 15, and bears between either the bearing part 16 or the hearing part 17, as the case-may be, and a projection, usually-in the form of a nut 19, at'the inner end of said branch or rod.

In lieu of the nuts 19 and the springs 18 on each rod 14, I may bend the inner terminals of said rod outwardly to form lugs 2929, and employ a single spring 28, as shown in Fig. '9. The spring 28 encircles both branches ofthe rod-14, and bears between the contiguous bearing part 16 and thelugs 29. This construction is less expensive than the other, and in some respects 1 better adapted to mypurpose. I V Ordinarily'the pad 1 is equipped with the pad is to be applied over a spot which is high upon the abdomen, so that the perineal strap 3 is not needed, the belt 2 (or 12) alone being relied upon to keep the pad in place, said pad is equipped with two eyes 13, as illustrated in Fig. 8'

Obviously the eyes 13, which are parts ofthe U-shaped rods14, afi'ordmo're stableand three eyes 13 arranged substantially as 7 representedin the first'view, but in the event stronger supporting means for the pad 1' 7 than are afforded by the Fig. 6 construction.

The springs l8 or28 afford the required amount of flexibility for the body strap or straps, yielding by contraction or compression when such straps are drawn away from the pad 1, and expanding to take up slack, thus keeping said straps taut at all times, so that they need not be made of elastic material, although'such material may be em ployed, if desired.

' A protector or cover 20 is provided for the pad 1. This cover is madeout'of some suitable fabric, consists in part of three flaps 21, and is of a size and shape to fit around the pad 1, with said flaps extending over said pad to be fastened together over the axial center of the same. The cover is provided with some suitable fastening means, such as a button 22 attached to one of the flaps 21, and including a button-hole 23 in each of the other flaps. The cover 20 is applied to the inner side of the pad 1, and the flap 21 are brought over the front of said pad and buttoned together. The flap to which the button 22 is fastened is the innermost one, and said cover is so applied to the pad 1 that said button is exposed on the outer side of said flap when folded. The other two flaps when folded overlap each other and the flap to which the button is fastened, and they are engaged with said button in the usual manner. It is a simple matter either to place the cover on the pad or to remove it therefrom, as is plainly seen. The truss which includes the belt 2 and the perineal strap 3, is applied by encircling the body with said belt, and snapping the hooks 11 into the twoupper laterallydisposed eyes 13 of the pad 1, after bringing said strap, to which said pad is attached by the other eye 13 up between the legs. Atthis time and as a part of the adjusting and fastening operations the pad 1 is located directly over the hernial spot. The first time that the truss is applied, and at other times if necessary, the belt 2 and the perineal strap 3 are adjusted, as may be required to locate the pad 1 in proper position and arrange the same so that it fits securely but comfortably the body of the wearer, by moving the clasp 4i on said belt to whatever extent may be necessary, and by drawing the straps that comprise said belt and the member 3 through the clasp 1 to lengthen or shorten them as needed. The precise manner of adjusting the belt 2 and the strip 3, relatively, and to lengthen and shorten them, will be understood from the drawings and from the explanation hereinbefore given.

With necessary but obvious omissions the above explanation applies to a truss which includes the belt 12, and to a truss which includes the pad with two eyes only, and excludes the perineal strap.

The cover 20, which normally is constantly in place on the pad 1, should be removed when soiled and either cleaned and itself replaced, or thrown away and replaced by another cover.

The shape, size, arrangement, and construction of the truss elementsmay be modified or changed, even beyond what I have herein specifically shown and described, without departing from the nature of my invention or exceeding the scope of my claims. And in this connection it is desirable to call attention to the fact that by the mere duplication of parts and the addition of a connecting belt member between the pads, substantially as shown in my United States Letters Patent, No. 1,223,? 51, this single truss can be converted into a double truss.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a truss, with a clasp having therein two vertical slots above and a horizontal slot below, of a belt passing through said vertical slots, from the inside, and across the outside, between said slots of said clasp, a perineal strap having one terminal passed up between said clasp and said belt outside of the former, over the top and down inside of said clasp, and through said horizontal slot and up between said clasp and that portion of said strap that is outside of said clasp, and having the other terminal passed, from the inside of said clasp, through said horizontal slot under said first-named portion of said strap therein, and down outside of said clasp and inside of the continguous portion of said strap, a pad, and means to attach said pad to said belt and strap.

2. The combination, in a truss, with a clasp having therein two vertical slots above and a horizontal slot below, of a belt passing through said vertical slots, from the inside, and across the outside, between said slots, of said clasp, said belt having its terminals passed through said vertical slots, from the inside, and carried in opposite directions between adjacent portions of said belt, a perineal strap having one terminal passed up between said clasp and said belt, outside of the former, over the top and down inside of said clasp, and through said horizontal slot and up between said clasp and that portion of said strap that is outside of said clasp, and having the other terminal passed, from inside of said clasp, through said horizontal slot under said first-named portion of said strap therein, and down outside of said clas and inside of the continguous portion of said strap, a pad, and means to attach said pad to said belt and strap.

3. The combination, in a truss, with a clasp having therein two vertical slots above and a horizontal slot below, of a belt passing through said vertical slots, from the inside, and across the outside, between said slots, of said clasp, said belt having its terminals passed through said vertical slots, from the inside, and carried in opposite directions between adjacent portions of said belt, loops 7 other terminal passed, from inside of saidv said clasp, a perineal strap having one.

terminal passed up between said clasp and said belt, outside of the former, over the top of and down'inside of said clasp, and through said horizontal slot and up between said clasp and that portion of strap that. is outside of said clasp, and having the other terminal passed, from the inside of said clasp, through said horizontal. slot under said first-named portion of -said strap therein, and down outside of said clasp and inside of the contiguous portion of said strap, a loop attached to the end of said strap that depends-from said clasp, said loop embracing and being adapted to slide on said last-named contlguous portion of said strap, a pad, and means to attach said pad to said belt and strap.

5. Theccombination, ina truss, with fighOl low pad, of radial ,U; -shaped,rodsarranged at right-anglesto the axis, of, saidjpad: to

slide" in the rim portionthereof, tl i ef out er portions of said, rodsQ ltsideaof such rim portion forming eyes, and, theainner endsrof said rods being provided with projecting; members, and a spring encircling both arms of each of said rods between said rim portion and the projecting members at theends ofsaid arms, said spring being adapted to press the rodwhich it encircles inwardly by said members.

6. The combination, in atruss, with a hollow pad, of radial UL-shaped rods arranged at right-angles to thevaxis of said pad to slide in the rim portion thereof, the outer portions of said rods outside of such riin portion forming eyes, and the inner ends of F. A. CUTTER, A. G. FAIRBANKS.

Gopies of this patent may be obtainedfor five'cents each, by addressing the (ioiumissionerjof Patents,

Washington, 13.0. l 

